Signal actuating device



March 12,

A. E. LANGE vSIGNAL. ACTUATI'NG DEVICE Filed .nine A5, 1957 sheets-sheeti March 12, 1940. A. E. LANGE SGNAL ACTUATING DEVISE Filed June 5, 1937@gaz/a 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 12, 1940.

Filed June 5, A1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jil Patented Mar. 12, 1940 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFHCE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to signal actuating devices, and is particularlywell adapted for use in conjunction with motorvehiclessuch, for example,as automobiles, trucks, trailers* and the like.

One object of the present invention is to provide a novel constructionandarrangement for indicating directional movements of a vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel signal actuatingdevice positioned in a motor vehicle in a manner to be convenientlyaccessible to the driver or operator thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel signal actuatingdevice mounted in the steering wheel and associated parts of a motorvehicle.

Another object of the invention is' to provide novel manually actuatedmeans for setting a signal to indicate directional movements of avehicle, andv to provide novel means, automatically 1 actuated andcontrolled by the normal operation of the vehicle, for clearing thesignal,

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel signallingdevice whereinthe actuating means therefor are positioned in the rim ofa Y steering wheel of a motor vehicle in a manner to be conveniently andreadily removed therefrom'without disturbing other portions of thedevice.

A still further object of the invention is to 30;.improve devices of thecharacter' described in sundry details hereinafter referred to andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

One embodiment ofthe present invention is shown for illustrativepurposes in the accom- 35,v panying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a portion of asteering wheel and tubular column associated therewith, takensubstantially as indicated by the line l-l of Fig. 2, and

villustrating the application of my improved signal actuating device inrelation thereto.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan sectional View of the structure illustratedin Fig. l, and taken substantially as indicated by the line 2--2 there-Fig. B'is a fragmentaryview similar to Fig. 2, and illustrating certainof the elements in changed position.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional plan View, taken substantially asindicated by the line 4-4 oi Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a portion of the structure illustratedin Figs. l', 2, and'fl.

Fig. 6'is a plan view of a switch housing and associated parts forming apart of the present' (Cl. G-59) invention, and having a portion thereofbroken away to better illustrate certain structures associatedtherewith.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional elevational view, taken substantially asindicated by the line 'i-'l of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of a clip or cover member operativelyrelated to a portion of the switch housing; and

Fig, 9 is a diagrammatic view of my improved signal actuating deviceshown in conjunction` with an electrical circuit for operatingsignals toindicate directional movements of a vehicle.

As illustratedy in Figs. 1 to S, inclusive of the drawings, the presentinvention is shown in conjunction with a vehicle steering wheelyindicated, as'a whole, by the numeral il, and comprising a rim I2, hubI3, spokes M, l5, and it, all formed, preferably, ofinsulatingmaterials, such, for example, as hardfrubber or the like molded aroundmetallic reinforcing members ll and it positioned in the rim I2 andspokes, respectively, the reinforcing members it of the spokes beingconnected at' their inner ends to a sleeve lli having an elongatedtapered opening 2l formed therein adapted-to receive the tapered'endportion 22 of a steering post and to be secured thereto by a nut 24, asclearly illustrated in Fig. l.

Surrounding the post 23 in the customary manner and in spacedrelationthereto is a tubular column 25h31 which the steering post is concealedand supported in the body of the vehicle.

Mounted in the hub i3, preferably, on the inner side thereof and in amanner to rotate therewith, are a plurality of rings 2t, 2l, and formedofLV current conducting material and adapted to be engaged,respectively, by a plurality of resilient brushes 2&5, 3l, and 32rigidly mounted in laterally spaced relation in a block 33 of insulatingmaterial positioned within the tubular column 25, and secured thereto bymeans of groove and tongue-like connections 31% (Fig. ll), the saidbrushes having conductors 35, il@ and 3l, respectively, extendingdownwardly from the block 33 and through the tubular column 25.

Mounted in the insulating material of the spoke M, for example, is atubular `guide member 38 shown, in the present instance, as'electrically connected by means of a conductor 39 to the ring 25,' theopposite or outer end of the guide member i being adapted to extend intoarecess 4| formed in the rim l2 adjacent the outer end portion of thespoke I4.

Mounted also in the spoke M- in spaced relation to the guide member itand, preferably, at opposite sides thereof, are a pair of conductors 42and 43 (Figs. 2 and 3) connected adjacent their respective inner endswith the rings' 21 and 28, respectively, the opposite or outer ends ofthe conductors 42 and 43 being adapted to extend into the recess 4|, asindicated at 44 and 45, respectively.

Mounted in the recess 4| and formed, preferably, of insulating material,is a switch housing indicated, as a whole, by the numeral 46, andpivotally mounted intermediate its' ends on a pivot pin 41 positioned insaid housing is a movable contact member indicated, as a whole, by thenumeral 48, the said contact member being provided adjacent one of itsends with a pair` of oppositely disposed relatively inclined contactportions 49 and 5|.

Positioned also in the housing 48, and secured thereto by means of arivet (Fig. 7), is an electrical conductor or resilient fingerindicated, as a whole, by the numeral 53 having one of its end portions54 operatively related to the movable contact member 48, and itsopposite end 55 adapted to engage the portion of the guide member 38extending into the recess 4| as shown in Fig. 1, the member 48 beingretained in frictional engagement with the end portion 54 or" theconductor 53 by means of a spring 58 surrounding the pivot pin 41, asclearly illustrated in Fig. '7.

Mounted also in the housing 46 are a pair of relatively xed contacts 51and 58 adapted to be engaged, respectively, by the contact portions 49and 5i of the movable Contact member 48 when said member is moved aboutits pivot 41 in one direction or another, andv for moving the contact 48in a manner to establish contact with one or the other of the relativelyfixed contacts 51 or 58, a pair of push buttons or lever members 59 and6l are mounted in the housing 46, and shown, in the present instance, aspivotally connected thereto by means of pins 62 and 63, respectively,the free end portions, 64 and 65 of the members 59 and 6|, respectively,being adapted to engage the end portion 66 of the member 48, shown ashaving a broad V-shaped recess therein as illustrated in Fig. 3, torotate the member 48 in one direction or another in a manner toselectively engage one or another of the relatively fixed contacts 51and 58, the said lever members 59 and 6| being normally retained againsta stop portion 61 of the housing 46 and out of engagement with the end66 of the member 48 by means of resilient spring members 68 and 69,respectively, shown, in the present instance, as continuations of thematerial or strips from which the relatively fixed contacts 51 and 58are formed.

For establishing electrical connections between the relatively xedcontacts 51 and 58 with the conductors 42 and 43, respectively, thecontacts 51 and 58 are shown, in the present instance, as provided withresilient portions or fingers 1| and 12 (Fig. 1) extending outwardlyfrom the housing 46 to the outer side thereof in a manner to engage theend portions 44 and 45, respectively, of the conductors 42 and 43, asclearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 when the housing is positionedwithin the recess 4|.

For restoring the movable contact member 48 to its neutral orinoperative position after contact has been made with one or another ofthe fixed contacts 51 or 58, a rod 13 is slidably mounted in the guidemember 38 in a manner to position the outer end of the rod within thehousing 46, the opposite or inner end of the rod 13 being adapted to beengaged by a cam portion or projection 14 shown, in the presentinstance, as formed on an upwardly extending portion of the block 33,for moving the outer end of the rod 13 into engagement with one oranother of the relatively inclined contact portions 49 or 5| of themember 48 when the steering wheel is moved to a position for directingthe vehicle in a straightaway direction, and the cam portion 13 andmember 48 are in the positions shown in Fig. 3, in a manner to move themember 48 to the position shown in Fig. 2.

For securing the housing 46 against accidental displacement with respectto the recess 4|, a spring actuated latch member 15 is slidably mountedin the stop portion 61 of the housing 46, and is provided with adownwardly extending portion 16 adapted to engage a recess 11 formed inthe rim I2, as clearly illustrated in Fig. l, the latch member 15 beingprovided with a laterally extending lifting pin 18 by which theprojection 16 may be withdrawn from the recess 11 when it is desired toremove the housing 46 from the recess 4|. For protecting the lifting pin18 against unauthorized movement or tampering, a clip or cover member 19is secured to the stop portion 61 in a manner to cover and conceal thepin 18, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 7.

By reference to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the relative positions ofthe rod 13 and cam 14 are such as to position the movable contact member48 in its neutral position, a condition prevailing when the position ofthe steering Wheel is such as to direct a vehicle in a straight line orforward direction.

It is well known that in usual practice and construction of steeringdevices, a small amount of play or lost motion is provided in thesteering Wheel, which permits slight movement of the wheel either to theright or left without affecting the position of the supporting or groundwheels of the vehicle. 'I'his slight rotation of the steering wheel ineither direction serves to position the rod 13 out of alignment with thecam 14, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 9 of the drawings, at which time acompression spring 8|, (Fig. 1), operating in an enlarged portion 82 ofthe guide member 38, will act to move the rod 13 in an inwardlydirection, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

It is also a well-known fact that the driver of a vehicle, incontemplating a turn to the right or left, instinctively, will shift thewheel slightly in the direction he intends to make a turn to take up theslack or lost motion, and when the steering wheel is so shifted, and therod 13 is in the position shown in Fig. 3, one or the other of thebuttons or lever members 59 or 6| may be manipulated, as, for example,the member 6|, as shown in Figs. 3 and 9, to position the movablecontact member 48 in engagement with the relatively fixed contact 58 toindicate a left turn.

By reference to Fig. 9, it Will be noted that when the movable contactmember 48 is in engagement with the relatively fixed contact 58, acircuit may be traced from the contact 58 through the conductor 43, ring28, brush 32, and conductor 31, through a lamp 83, which may bepositioned at the rear of the vehicle, for example, to indicate a leftturn, and thence through a conductor 84 to a pilot lamp 85, which may bemounted on the instrument board or other convenient place within avehicle to indicate to the operator thereof that the signal lights areoperating, and from the lamp 85, the

circuit'maybe followed through a conductor 86, ground" 81, battery 83,conductor 89, ammeter 90, ignition switch Si, conductor 35, brush 2|,ring 26, conductor 39, tubular guide member 38 and movable contactmember 48, thereby actuating a signal through the lamp 83to indicate aleft turn,

In a similar manner, when the button orlever member 59 is actuated toposition the movable contact member 4B in engagement with the relativelyxed contact 5l to indicate a lright turn, a circuit may be traced fromthe fixed contact 5'! through the conductor 42, ring 2T, brush 3l,conductor 36, right-turn signal lamp 92, conductor 93, pilot light 94,ground 8l to battery 'and thence through the connections and elementsabove mentioned with reference to the right-turn circuit including thering 26, back to the movable contact member 48, the purpose of carryingboth the signal circuits through the ignition switch` 91 being toprevent operation of the signal device mechanism and lamps when theignition switch in Off position.

After completing a turn of the vehicle in the indica-ted direction., thesteering wheel I! will be brought hack to thestraightaway position, andin so doing, the inner end. of the rod 13 will engage the cam 'M in amanner to move the rod in an outwardly direction to disconnect themovable contact member d8 from one or the other of the fixed contacts'5l' or 58 and to the position shown in 2, thereby clearing the signaluntil it is next desired to indicate a turn of the vehicle.

It will be observed 'from the foregoing description that the presentinvention provides a novel construction and arrangement in a signaldevice, which is conveniently accessible to the driver or operator ofthe vehicle. and whereby direction signals may be selectively operatedto indicate either a right vor left turn of the vehicle. and wherein thesignal may be cleared and the actuating mechanism restored to neutralposition automatically by the normal operation and handling of thevehicle. It will also be observe-d that the present invention provides anovel construction and` arrangement whereby the actuating meanspositioned in the rim of a steering wheel may be conveniently andreadily removed therefromwithout disturbing other portions of thedevice. i

Obviously, the present invention is not limited to the preciseconstruction and arrangement shown and described as the same may bevariously modiied. Moreover, all the features of the invention need notbe used conjcintly as the same may be used to advantage in variouslydifferent combinations and subcombinations.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a signal actuating device, the combination with the steering Wheelof a motor vehicle and a relatively fixed tubular column associatedtherewith, of a movable contact member pivotally mounted on said wheeladjacent the rim thereof, a pair of relatively fixed contacts adapted tobe engaged by said movable member, a pair of push buttons adjacent therim of said wheel and operatively related, selectively, to said movablecontact member for selectively moving said member into engagement withone or the other of said relatively fixed contacts, and a single cammember mounted 'on said column and operatively related to said movablecontact member for moving said member out of engagement with saidrelatively fixed contacts.

2. In a signal actuating device, the combination with the steering wheelof a motor vehicle and a relatively fixed column associated therewith,said wheel comprising a rim having a recess therein, a hub, and spokesconnecting said rimand' hub, a plurality of conductors in one of saidspokes and having end portions extending,r into said recess, a switchhousing adapted to be positioned in said recess, a plurality ofelectrical contacts mounted in said housing, resilient ngers operativelyrelated, respectively, to said contacts and engageable with the ends ofsaid conductors when. the housing is positioned in said recess, manuallyoperated means for connecting two of said contacts, means engageablewith said manually operated means and operatively related to said wheeland column, respectively, for disconnecting the contacts, and means forsecuring said housing in said recess.

3.v In a signal. actuating device, the combination with thel steeringwheel of a motor vehicle and a relatively fixed column associatedtherewith, said wheel comprising a rim and spokes and having a recessformed in said rim adjacent the outer end of one of said spokes, a pairof relatively fxed electrical contacts mounted in said recess, a movablecontact member having relatively inclined portions adjacent one of itsends and pivotally mounted intermediate its ends in said recess, a pairof pushbuttons engageable, selectively, with the opposite end oi saidmovable member for selectively moving said contact member intoengagement with one or the other of said fixed contacts, a rod slidablymounted in said spoke and having one of its ends extending into saidrecess, and a cam mounted on said column and engageable with theopposite end of said rod for moving the first mentioned end thereof intoengagement with one or the other of said inclined portions todisengagesaid movable contact member from engagement with one or the other ofsaid relatively fixed contacts.

4. In a signal actuating device, the combination with the steering wheelof a motor vehicle, said wheel comprising a rim portion and spokesconnected thereto, a movable contact member pivotally mounted in saidrim portion adjacent the outer end of one of said spokes, a tubularguide member forming an electrical conductor positioned in said spokeand electrically connected to said contact member, a pair of relativelyfixed electrical contacts mounted in sai-d rim adapted to be engaged,selectively, by said movable member, manually actuated means operativelyrelated to said pivoted Contact member for moving the pivoted memberinto engagement with one or the other of said relatively iixed contacts,a rod slidably mounted in said guide member and having one of is endsengageaole with said movable contact, and means for moving said rod tomove the pivoted contact member out of engagement with said relativelyfixed contacts.

5. In a signal actuating device, the combination with the steering wheelof a motor vehicle and a relatively fixed column associated therewith,said wheel comprising a rim having a recess therein, and spokesoperatively related to said rim, a plurality of. lateraily spacedconductors in one of said spokes and having one of their respective endportions extending into said recess, a switch housing adapted to bepositioned in said recess, a movable contact member and a pair ofrelatively fixed 'electrical contacts mounted in said housing, resilientfingers operatively related, respectively, to said movable member andsaid contacts and engageable, respectively, with the end portions ofsaid conductors when the housing is positioned in said recess, manuallyoperated means pivotally mounted in said housing and engageable withsaid movable contact member for selectively moving said contact memberinto engagement with one or the other of said contacts, meansoperatively related to said Wheel and column, respectively, fordisconnecting the movable contact member from said relatively xedcontacts, and means mounted in said housing and operatively related tosaid Wheel for removably securing the housing in said recess.

6. In a signal actuating device, the combination with a steering wheelof a motor vehicle and a relatively fixed column associated therewith,said Wheel comprising a rim and spokes connected thereto and having arecess formed in said rim adjacent the outer end of one of said spokes,a tubular guide member in said one of the spokes and having its outerend portion extending into said recess, a pair of conductors mounted insaid spoke in spaced relation to said guide member and having theirrespective outer end portions extending into said recess, a switchhousing removably mounted in said recess, a movable contact memberpivotally mounted intermediate its ends in said housing, a pair ofoppositely disposed relatively inclined contact portions on one end ofsaid movable contact member, a pair of relatively xed contacts mountedin said housing, resilient ngers operatively related, respectively, tosaid movable contact member and fixed contacts and engageable with saidguide member and conductors, respectively, for electrically connectingsaid movable contact member and fixed contacts thereto, a pair ofmanually actuated lever members pivotally mounted in said housing andengageable with the opposite end of said movable contact member formoving one or the other contact portions thereof into engagement withone or the other of said xed contacts, a rod longitudinally movable insaid guide member and engageable at one of its ends With the relativelyinclined portions of said movable contact member for moving said contactmember out of engagement with said xecl contacts, a cam on said columnfor moving said rod, and means ior removably securing said housing insaid recess.

ARTHUR E. LANGE.

